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Blue Cross appoints ‘Ben the Vet’ as new ambassador
'Ben the Vet' will promote the charity's work and best practice pet welfare. 

Dr Ben Simpson-Vernon will use his social media platform to highlight the charity’s work.

Practising vet and social media influencer Dr Ben Simpson-Vernon has been named a new ambassador for Blue Cross.

Ben, who has amassed thousands of followers through his TikTok channel, ‘Ben the Vet’, will promote the charity’s work and best practice pet welfare.

An ardent supporter of the Blue Cross, Ben’s videos on pet health and welfare focus on inherited health problems in pedigree dog and cat breeds.

He recently visited the charity to see how it is working to keep pets and their owners together during times of financial hardship.

Commenting on his appointment, Ben said: “I am delighted to become a Blue Cross Ambassador. I've been a supporter of the charity's work for a number of years, and I'm looking forward to championing the vital work they do in helping pets and their people every single day.”

Ben is a graduate of Cambridge University and works for the Goddard Veterinary Group in Essex. He joins fellow Blue Cross Ambassadors naturalist Chris Packham, actress Pam Ferris and Olympic equestrian Mary King.

Blue Cross chief vet Dr Paul Manktelow said: "We're delighted to welcome Ben as our latest Ambassador. His experience as a vet means he sees first-hand the struggles many pet owners face and understands the importance of affordable veterinary care.

“Ben will be a powerful advocate for the work we do – from finding homeless pets their forever homes, to helping to keep pets and their people together.”

Image (C) Blue Cross. 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.